Since AZ- January 2013

I am learning how to play the piano, and it is going very well. I am more and more passionate about it everyday, not to say that I play perfectlyJ.  My dad has attended church twice with me, and I am praying that this is God’s work and fulfillment in action- that from now on my dad is a full believer. I have seen huge changes in my dad and it is so encouraging. It is exciting to share in this process and record things that happen or are said, knowing one day we will all be able to see how God was faithful to each of us, even when we did not notice any change at all. One day I was reading C.S. Lewis’ A Grief Observed (which has become a book I love to read over and over again) and I found this quote that I have treasured, “There was no sudden, striking, and emotional transition. Like the warming of a room or the coming of daylight. When you first notice them they have already been going on for some time.” I think that many changes come this way, and I see this in my dad and family. Though I may not see the depths in which the Lord works, they are there. The Holy Spirit is warming, and lighting, it is bringing us all home though we don’t even realize what process of the transition we are all in.

I started going to school and I am studying intercultural communication and journalism (which is the college’ newspaper). Both are very interesting and take a lot of time outside of class. I know they are both very important in things that the Lord is trying to teach me and will be important for my future. I know that I am called to speak, teach, and write. In what order, or to whom, is for God to decide.

Children have been a huge influence on me lately; working at a school with preschool children all the way to 6^th graders is a ton of fun! I love getting to teach them math while I help them with their homework and listen to the issues that are going on in their life. We laugh and joke, play games and of course, some discipline is involved- though I am always striving to build them up rather than shame them or tear them down. I have had a lot of dreams about babies and children. I am also teaching the preschool class at my church. I feel like it is a great fit and I am very happy. God works in great ways! There is administrative work involved along with playing and my heart feels like my passions are being used for God’s purposes. There is nothing like that feeling.

My days look like this:

5a.m. – Good Morning! Time for a 30min run

5:45a.m. - Time with Jesus! And get ready for the day

730 a.m. - Intercultural Communication class

9 a.m. - Work at Preschool on Monday and Wednesdays/ every other day is used at the SFCC Library

11:30 a.m. - Journalism Class

2:30 p.m. - Work at ECC (afterschool program for kids, located out in the country)

6 p.m. - Head back into Spokane, usually have plans for coffee/dinner/bible study

8 p.m. – Home at last, eat small dinner, do homework, read bible and fall asleep

Some days differ from others and God makes it possible to get piano practice and lessons in, time to go out with friends, even time to interview people and work on my section of The Communicator, the school newspaper. I also get to visit with great friends on the phone and through text or via Facebook. I am thankful that the internet allows me to stay connected and up to date with how my friends and family are doing, no matter what distance separates us.